"The Seal of Chaos" by Maria Danilova, summary Automatic translate

During a routine university exam, a linguistics student is accidentally transported into a harsh magical world of demons and vampires. The book was created in 2020. The author tells the story of an ordinary girl, Victoria, without magical abilities, forced to survive in the harsh realities of a dark fantasy world where people are at the very bottom of a strict social hierarchy and used by sorcerers solely as powerless slaves.

This novel opens the "Demons of Chaos and Darkness" series and is the first part of a tetralogy. This series also includes the novels "Chosen of Darkness," "Sphere of Omnipotence," and "The Shadowy Throne."

Unexpected movement

An ordinary student, Victoria, is preparing to take a difficult etymology exam at her university. After drinking scalding coffee, she enters the exam room and suddenly finds herself stuck to the wooden door. She accidentally enters a glowing purple circle and is transported to a completely different world — Ticeya. Instead of a stern teacher, she is greeted by the arrogant demon Ristan Elenart and the protruding vampire Norion.

The tall demon possesses glowing purple eyes and immense, terrifying magical power. He immediately places magical glowing shackles on the confused Victoria, making her his personal slave — an "oyuna." Ristan urgently needs to find an ancient, powerful artifact, the Seal of Chaos. It had previously been safely hidden by the exiled, powerful mage, Ryliet Ofieri. None of the local demons have ever been able to locate this valuable artifact.

The girl became deeply entwined with this dark summoning spell. Ristan firmly believes that the otherworldly woman, without a single drop of magic, can lead him to his cherished goal. Trying to survive in this alien world, Victoria skillfully simulates psychic visions. She describes fictitious locations so that the cruel Ristan won’t kill her on the spot for being unnecessary.

The vampire Nor regularly performs painful magical experiments on the terrified girl. He uses various caustic potions and ancient spells to awaken her memory. Victoria bravely endures hardships and eats only one meager meal a day. She secretly dreams of escaping home, but realizes her utter helplessness before the supernatural creatures of darkness.

Arrival in Tavinham

Ristan is actively preparing for the rigorous Trials of Darkness. Successfully completing these deadly rituals promises him incredible power and the status of the Chosen One. To achieve this, the trio travels to Tavinham — a gloomy Gothic capital where the sun never rises and eternal night reigns. They travel through the eerie, dense darkness on ghostly beasts called gloomtigers. Victoria experiences a chilling, primal fear in the surrounding dense darkness.

Other dangerous contenders for the high title are gathering in the capital. Ristan is openly hated by the other demons due to the infamous reputation of his ancient, cruel clan. The tournament’s inviolable rules are strictly enforced by an influential, cold-blooded demon of the Empire, Arkn Grirar. He possesses bottomless black eyes, a frighteningly powerful aura, and commands respect.

In the vast black castle of Tavinham, Victoria finds an unexpected and loyal ally. He turns out to be a young, fair-haired elemental cook named Flonar. The young man treats his captive with genuine warmth and secretly helps her endure the hardships of slavery. Together, they prepare food for the noble demons daily in the castle kitchen. Flonar tells Victoria the sad story of the world of Ticaea and the long-ago demise of all the light gods.

The vampire Nor, using special burgundy potions, attempts to induce true, hidden visions in Victoria. During one of the most arduous experiments, the girl actually sees the true location of the Seal. She clearly notices a huge gray vortex of Chaos, securely hidden deep underground on a stone plateau. Victoria wisely decides to conceal part of the truth from the cruel demon.

Dangerous maneuvers

Victoria is constantly searching for ways to escape to her long-awaited freedom. The situation is seriously complicated by attacks on the castle by giant, mysterious monsters. During yet another terrifying disturbance, the girl quickly escapes with Nor. They narrowly escape a mammoth-like monster in the dark corridors of the prison. Victoria later escapes with the help of another blue-eyed demon, Yuniari.

However, the girl quickly finds herself in the clutches of Arkn Grirar. The influential mage securely hides her in his luxurious mansion outside of Tavinham. He treats his guest with the utmost courtesy, offering expensive silk gowns, a hot bath, and comfort. The true tragic story of Titzea and the ancient line of Ofieri is revealed.

It turns out that destructive Chaos is gradually devouring the dead lands, mercilessly infecting them with emptiness. Arkn sincerely desires to stop this global destruction. He hopes that Victoria will willingly lead him to the Seal. The demon is absolutely certain that the cruel Ristan’s boundless power will lead the entire fragile world to inevitable catastrophe.

The girl flatly refuses to assist the black magicians in their machinations. She longs only to return home to Earth. Arkn coldly informs her that without a detailed study of her mystical powers, safe transfer between worlds is absolutely impossible. Arkn insistently asks Victoria to remain in his safe house and await a peaceful resolution.

Soon, Victoria succumbs to a severe panic and recklessly ventures into the dark forest. There, she is immediately attacked by a terrifying predatory beast. Ristan Elenart suddenly appears, finding the fugitive through a subtle magical connection. The enraged demon, using brute force, returns the rebellious slave to his chambers in Tavinham.

Dungeon with traps

Fearing powerful rivals, Ristan forces Nora to administer a critical dose of a painful potion to the girl. Victoria, in a deep trance, meticulously studies the underground path to the artifact, meticulously memorizing the locations of the deadly spells. Soon, the three of them set out for the sleeping, living forest. The girl leads the way, skillfully feigning complete submission to her tormentors.

The group discovers a hidden entrance to ancient, dusty catacombs. The long dungeon is chock-full of deadly magical traps. Ristan and Nor struggle to disarm these dangerous obstacles, constantly risking their own lives. These implacable enemies are forced to work closely together for their mutual benefit and survival in the darkness.

Victoria calmly watches their heated squabbles. She accidentally notices faded inscriptions on the stone floor of the dungeon. She silently deciphers Ofieri’s complex ciphers while the mages diligently destroy invisible barriers. Finally, they reach a stone plateau where a terrifying gray vortex of concentrated Chaos rages.

Horrible, clawed creatures of Chaos emerge from the void. A brutal, bloody battle ensues. The vampire accidentally stumbles after a powerful blow and falls into a deep, black abyss. Ristan dispatches the monsters and furiously rushes toward the vortex. Victoria suddenly realizes clearly that Ristan has long suffered from a hidden curse of Chaos.

Gaining Power

The girl blocks the demon’s path and offers a fair and equitable deal. She offers to remove the painful curse from Ristan forever. In exchange, the cruel mage must destroy the invisible magical shackles on her wrists. Ristan immediately agrees to the terms. Victoria heals him permanently, and the slave’s heavy shackles instantly fall away.

The cunning deceiver Ristan finds himself trapped by an invisible magical barrier, unable to approach the artifact. A free Victoria quickly escapes the dark, damp dungeon. Outside, she encounters a worried Arkn and Flonar. The girl proudly shows Arkn her right palm, bearing a new design.

The Seal of Chaos now clearly appears on the girl’s skin. The immense magical power of the ancient ruling family of Ofieri has painlessly transferred to a mere mortal. Arkn wisely decides to send Victoria for a long training with powerful witches. The girl will have to learn to control this new magic to survive.

Returning to the vast library of Tavinham, the heroine suddenly encounters the current Chosen of Darkness — Kiaron Visaro. Previously, this terrifying, powerful demon had filled her with wild, uncontrollable fear. Now, the enormous monster voluntarily falls to his knees before the frail girl. The Chosen of Darkness firmly declares his sincere desire to serve her loyally.